衰 shuāi weak
weak; feeble; to decline
How to remember 衰: 亠 lid + 口 mouth + 一 one + 𧘇 dress = weak. After the flu, grandma cannot lift the pot lid, her mouth takes just one spoon, and her dress hangs loose on a body that feels so weak.
Component breakdown
衰 = 亠 lid + 口 mouth + 一 one + 𧘇 dress
- 亠 lid
- 口 mouth
- 一 one
- 𧘇 dress
After the flu, grandma cannot lift the pot lid, her mouth takes just one spoon, and her dress hangs loose on a body that feels so weak.
How it is used
- To decline/weaken - 衰老 (shuāilǎo) to age/grow old, 衰退 (shuāituì) to decline (经济衰退 economic recession).
- 衰弱 (shuāiruò) = feeble/weak (of body); 衰竭 (shuāijié) = (organ) failure (心力衰竭 heart failure).
- 衰落 (shuāiluò) = to fall into decline (of a family, nation, industry).
- Internet slang 衰 (often read shuāi) = unlucky/down on one's luck (colloquial, esp. southern).